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Bloody Body Found Outside Miami Gardens Home

MIAMI GARDENS (CBSMiami) – Reports of gunfire early Wednesday morning led to the discovery of a man who had been shot to death outside a Miami Gardens home.

Miami Gardens Police said records show the home is owned by William Leonard Roberts II, who is better known as the rapper Rick Ross, the founder of the record label Maybach Music Group.

The 36-year-old Ross grew up in Carol City and while neighbors say he did not live in the home, police want to speak with him. They want to know what connection, if any, he had with the man who was shot and killed.

Neighbors say the have only seen Ross at the home a few times in the past few years.

"I have seen him two times, maybe three times," said Betsy Smith, who has lived in the neighborhood for 34 years. "He was standing up there one time, doing nothing. I went by him and just waved."

Police have identified the victim as 40-year-old Gregory Paul Nesbitt. Records show he has family in Miami Lakes and was arrested in the 1990s for grand theft auto, burglary and tresspassing and last year for disorderly conduct.

Just after 6:30 a.m., patrol officers were sent to check out reports of shots fired in the area of 32nd Avenue and NW 181st Street.

"I heard one shot and it woke me up," said neighbor Alberta Chandler. "It sounded very loud. I was sleeping and it woke me up. I feel so bad. My heart was pounding all morning. I hope police solve this because nothing like this has happened before. I go everywhere and leave my house open and no one breaks in."

"Our officers came to the area and as they were patrolling the area, they found the body of a black male 40-years of age just inside of the fence," said police spokesman Sgt. Bill Bamford.

Police are looking for clues in this case.

"We're not sure what his [the deceased] connection is," Sgt. Bamford said. "We don't know if he lives here, if he was visiting friends or relatives here. He was inside the fence. It appears that he was met at the gate either as he was leaving or as he was arriving by someone and that's where he met his demise."

Detectives believe that Ross lives elsewhere and lets other people stay in the house and record.

"Anyone who was out here this morning that heard these gunshots, maybe saw a car fleeing from the area, anything they can do to assist the public; you can always remain anonymous. Just make a call and give us that one lead to point us in the right direction," Sgt. Bamford said.

If you have any information about this crime, call Miami-Dade Crimestoppers at 305-493-TIPS (8477).

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